229w ago - PlayStation Store Senior Manager Grace Chen has announced that NHL lights the lamp, and is streaming on Sony's PlayStation 3 entertainment system beginning today through a new NHL GameCenter application.

To quote: I'm excited to announce that the NHL is streaming its way onto the PS3!

Beginning today, all PS3 users in the United States and Canada can download the new NHL GameCenter application, an exclusive offer for PS3 users making it the first and only gaming console to stream live hockey games in HD.

NHL GameCenter LIVE subscribers who enjoy free access to PlayStation Network and its variety of online content, can now stream live out-of-market regular season and select playoff game broadcasts in HD by downloading the NHL GameCenter application on the PS3 system.

In addition to offering live hockey games, NHL GameCenter LIVE also allows subscribers to watch full-length and condensed replays of the current season games they missed (48 hours after they air, no blackouts) and relive NHL history with unlimited access to over 500 classic games from NHL Vault. Check out the demo to see how it works:

PS3 users that do not have a subscription to NHL GameCenter LIVE will still have access to a wide range of NHL content through the NHL GameCenter application. Fans will have access to features such as post-game highlights, team schedules, standings, player stats and profiles, and the full NHL scoreboard.

You can download the NHL application for $9.99 and access it under the "Video" icon on the XMB menu. However, if you're a PlayStation Plus subscriber, you can download the NHL GameCenter application for free, continuing PlayStation's goal to deliver exclusive opportunities only made available to PlayStation Plus members.

If you aren't an NHL GameCenter LIVE subscriber, you can sign up by visiting www.ps3.com/nhl to get an account and ultimately link it to your PS3 using a registration code obtained through the app on your device.

NHL GameCenter LIVE is priced at $169 (U.S.) for an annual subscription and includes the NHL Vault service. NHL Vault is also available separately for $4.95 (U.S.) a month.

We hope you enjoy watching all of the excitement of the NHL delivered via PlayStation Network!

I was thinking this was Sony's counter to xboxs ESPN but it's far from it. $170 just for NHL content, then $100 for MLB.tv and that is just two sports. I'm afraid to see the total cost of everything once they get NFL and NBA in there too, and that's just for one year.

Meanwhile xbox has everything on ESPN (as long as you live in a ESPN 3 zone) just being a Gold member ($50).

With Playstation Plus, I wasn't just expecting the application to be free, but the subscription as well to at least compete with xboxs sports channel.